Call Light Not Within Reach for Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's call light was within reach, as required by its own policy and procedures. The resident, who had diagnoses including rheumatoid arthritis, generalized muscle weakness, and required assistance with personal care and bed mobility, was observed sitting in a wheelchair at the bedside. During this observation, the call light was found hanging on the head of the bed on the opposite side from where the resident was seated, making it inaccessible to her. The resident confirmed during an interview that she was unable to reach the call light. A CNA also acknowledged that the call light was not within the resident's reach and speculated that it may have been placed there by herself or therapy staff earlier that morning. The facility's policy specifically states that call lights must be easily reachable by residents to allow them to communicate their needs to nursing staff.